News and notes about William Woods students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
William Woods Alumni
Angela Nelson ’06 is the Director of the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) in Jefferson City, Missouri. Appointed to the leadership position by Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, Nelson oversees the state government department that regulates insurance companies and directs consumer affairs for Missouri citizens.
Ashley Griffin ’20, ’22, is currently working on her dissertation at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, where she is working towards her Ph.D. in Business Administration. Her goal is to “teach Business courses like the faculty who became my role models during my time at The Woods! William Woods has been a pivotal attribute of my journey and has significantly contributed to my professional growth and aspirations.”
Spencer Allen ’24, who received his Ed.D. from William Woods, recently published his first book, “The Smartest Working Person in the Room: The (often hilarious) guide to efficiency for principals and other leaders.” The Smartest-Working Person in the Room: The (often-hilarious) guide to efficiency for principals and other leaders: Allen, Spencer L: 9798992932614: Amazon.com: Books
Nancy Williams ’76, of Johnson City, Tennessee, published her second book in April 2025, a Christian historical fiction story set during World War II. She published her first book, about coping with infertility, back in 2020. A career public relations professional who now freelances, Williams taught public relations courses at Milligan College in Elizabethton, Tennessee for many years.
Jessica “Jessi” Green ’99, of Hamilton, Ohio,recently transitioned from a career in early childhood education to one of banking. She now serves as the President/CEO of the Hamilton Bank.
William Woods Faculty and Staff
Dr. Mountasser Kadrie, manager of the Master’s of Health Administration program, authored an entire chapter for a new textbook, “Healthcare Administration, Leadership and Management: The Essentials, First Edition.” https://www.physicianleaders.org/publications/books/healthcare-administration-leadership-and-management-halm-the-essentials-handel
The textbook, which was written to be used as a guide for physicians becoming Board-Certified Physician Leaders, was published in April.
Liz Haben, Associate Professor of Equestrian Studies, had an article published in Pinto Horse Magazine about one of the rescue horses donated to WWU three years ago that earned World Championships at this year’s Pinto Horse Show https://www.pinto.org/publictions/ptha-magazine?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ19-FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHpxjyrhHvWO3OySzDLyxYkqdYKcRn60WSvytD7nKszQ7y5r5OMqjvn4wiO2Q_aem_vgqXa4EonHwUz8-CGCQRKg.
Dr. Miriam O’Callaghan, Executive Dean of the School of Business and Technology, had her research paper, “The Impact of Procedural Justice on Employee Turnover Intentions and the Role of Two Mediators,” receive the Best Paper Award from the Organizational Management Journal https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/omj-03-2023-1822/full/html
